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                           ~For The Love of A Seishi~
                                by Tiarra aka Marron

            A burning, hot wind arose around Nakago as Tamahome rushed at
him. With his powers sealed, he was ready to admit defeat. Tamahome's
scream was a brilliant death cry, his whole being surrounded and
amplified by the power of his god. "This is for my love! This is for
Nuriko! For Chiriko! For Mitsukake--! For my family! For my friends!
THIS IS FOR EVERYONE--!!!" Nakago could almost hear Tamahome's thoughts
piercing through his mind.

           As Tamahome's fist hit him, and passed through him, Nakago's
eyes grew cold. He stared at Tamahome, as calm as he always appeared.
He nearly flinched, however, as Tamahome entered him-- saw him, and
what had created him. Tamahome saw Nakago's past, the abuse and violent
death of his mother, his own abuse by the Emperor of Kutou, and how he
vowed to destroy the heavens and earth that had handed him such a
horrid fate. And Tamahome wept.

	Nakago's eyes rolled back into his head, his last breath
escaping his lips. Tamahome faded, and a bright, white light grew
around him. The light, too, soon faded, and Nakago found himself in a
strange, yet friendly place.	"Son."	"Nakago-sama..."

	Nakago turned to the voices. "Soi.... M...Mother...." He could
almost feel tears forming in the corners of his eyes as his Mother
rushed to embrace him. Nakago wrapped his arms around his mother,
holding her tightly, his face buried in her hair. "Mother... Oh, Mother,
I'm so sorry..."	"Shh... everything's all right." As they parted from their
embrace, Nakago's mother reached up and touched her son's face, gently
wiping his tears away. "It was never your fault, my son. Never. You
were a creation of your tormentors-I know that in here," she took his
hand and placed it over his heart, "you are still the pure, innocent
little boy that I remember, that I loved so much." Nakago looked down
at his hand, then back to his mother.	"The pain won't fade..."
	"Only because you won't let it go." Until now, Soi-- no,
Haku Kaen, a poor innocent girl sold to a brothel by cruel parents,
now a young woman who loved Nakago with all her heart--had remained
quiet, allowing Nakago the joy of seeing his mother again. Nakago
looked past his mother and to Soi. Until the last moments of Soi's life,
Nakago had never realized how much he truly cared for her; not just
cared, loved. "Soi..." He whispered. Nakago's mother stepped aside as
he swept past her, stepping quickly towards Soi. He took her hands, and
gazed into her eyes.

	Never before had he realized what beauty had always been by his
side. Never before had he noticed the soft smile and the faintly
glowing, and oh-so-beautiful eyes Soi had. Never before had he seen how
beautiful and pale her skin was, and how shiny her long hair was, as he
undid its binds and let it cascade down over his hands.

	Nakago ran his hands through Soi's hair as his eyes wandered,
memorizing everything about her. He loved Soi, and, somehow, he felt as
though all of the angst and hate piled upon him for twenty-five long
years was lifted. He took Soi gently in his arms, a warm and loving--
and very unlike the earthly Nakago-- embrace, taking in the soft, sweet
scent of her hair. "Soi..." He whispered again. "Soi... Aish'teru...
itsu made.. yo." --I'll love you forever--.

	Nakago's mother cleared her throat a little, and he and Soi
turned to her. "Son," she said gently, "you have an eternity to show
Kaen-chan how much you love her. For now, why don't we take a look
around? There are so many things here I know you'll love."

	Nakago turned back to Soi, gently lifting her chin. "Kaen?" He
gazed fondly down at her. "All the years we have known each other, and
still I didn't know."	"You can still call me Soi, Nakago-sama."

	"No. Our god is sealed." He gently moved his hand from her
chin and took her hand. "I want to let go-- I want to forget everything
bad that has happened to us. Kaen... Kaen-chan, it is a pleasure to
meet you. I am Koei*." With a slow, fluidic motion, he lifted Soi--
Kaen's hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

                                                              ~Fin~


* - The maintainer of the Nakago shrine/fanclub Nakago's real name
"Koei", thinking it a fitting name.

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